Yaya up for another top award

The New Year has brought with it a wealth of Blues news for you to indulge in this morning as we get 2014 well and truly underway!

We begin with news that the Confederation of African Football has named Yaya toure in the final shortlist for African Player of the Year.

Just a month after scooping the BBC’s African Player of the Year for the first time, the Ivorian is in line for another prestigious award which is testament to his contributions for club and country in recent months.

“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the final nomination list for the African Player of Year 2013 award from which the overall will be announced on January 9, in Lagos, Nigeria,” reports website Kawowo Sports.

“Ivorian duo of midfielder Yayo Toure and striker Didier Drogba made the cut and are joined by Nigeria and Chelsea FC midfielder John Obi Mikel.

“Manchester City star Toure who won the BBC Fans award for this year and Drogba were instrumental for Ivory Coast helping the Elephants reach the finals of the 2014 World Cup and also the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup.”

Good luck, Yaya.

Well, just a couple of days ago Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho claimed City are clear favourites for the title and today two more Premier League managers have added their tuppence-worth on the subject.

As the Blues prepare to take on Swansea in today’s early kick-off, Manuel Pellegrini’s opposite number Michael Laudrup, has warned that May is a long way away.

The Daily Star’s Tim Gray writes: “Manuel Pellegrini’s free-scoring City lie second in the table and are being hotly tipped for the title.

"They travel to Swansea today and Laudrup said: ‘They have done really well until now and we play the best attacking team in the league, but we’re still only at the beginning of January.

'I have been in the football world for many years and I’m used to people giving titles away, talking about who won the title in October, November or December – but then two months later, everything changes.

'Suddenly in March and April you have three or four players who are not at their best with small injuries.”’

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger has gone one better, laying down the gauntlet in spectacular fashion!

“Arsene Wenger has dismissed Jose Mourinho's claim that Manchester City are overwhelming favourites to win the Premier League and insisted that Arsenal can make their most serious title challenge for a decade,” writes the Irish Independent’s Jeremy Wilson.

“Arsenal have topped the Premier League at New Year only once since the 'Invincibles' of 2003-4 and, although Wenger admits that 'everyone expects us to fail', he is now convinced that this team can win him a fourth title.

“Mourinho has repeatedly identified City as the 'big, big' favourites, even saying that they have 'a responsibility' to win the title, but Wenger clearly suspects that his old rival is indulging in some mind games.

'Do you believe him?' said Wenger.

‘"City are not more favourites for me than Chelsea or Man United. Yes, they have a squad of names who can win it but, at the end of the day, it is down to what we do on the pitch.” Are they, at the moment, completely unbeatable? Not for me.”’

Well, it’s nice to be the topic of conversation I guess!

Finally, we cannot escape the grand opening of the winter transfer window and nor will we for the foreseeable.

City have already been linked with a number of moves in and out of the club this New Year and today sees mention of Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio.

“The likes of Manchester City and Chelsea have been linked with Villarreal starlet Mateo Musacchio, who has been making a big name for himself in Spain,” reports Ross Dillon of touchlinetalk.com.

“The 23-year-old is not so young any more, but it is still an unknown name to most in England, although in the footballing world he has been on the Villarreal scene for some time.

“With Manchester City in need of another good centre back, he would be an ideal signing for the Blues.”

Remember, we will be first with any official transfer news this winter, so make mcfc.co.uk your first port of call!